Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Green Gazpacho



I love this soup. Chilled icy cold, a gazpacho is a marvelous starter for a family or guest meal during the dog days of summer. Gazpacho is a cold Spanish tomato-based raw vegetable soup, originating in the southern region of Andalucía. Everyone is familiar with its red cousin, but this green version elevates tomato soup to another level. It's inexpensive and easy to make but you'll have to factor wait time into your preparation schedule. The base of the soup is a tomato water that's made by pureeing tomatoes and allowing their clear liquid to drip through several layers of cheesecloth or paper toweling. The tomato water is combined with green vegetables and herbs to produce a soup that will delight your eyes and make your taste buds sing. There are no tricks here. This is good basic food that is simply prepared and served icy cold. The recipe was developed by Alex Urena and adapted for use in The New York Times.

Green Gazpacho

Ingredients:
2-1/2 pounds ripe plum or grape tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1 stalk lemon grass, peeled and coarsely chopped
1/4 cup vodka
2 cucumbers, peeled and chopped
2 green bell peppers, seeded, cored and chopped
4 tomatillos, chopped
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon sugar
Salt and pepper
1 avocado
1 small handful chives
1 small handful cilantro
1 small handful parsley
1 bunch scallions, trimmed

Directions:

1) One day before serving, combine tomatoes, lemon grass and vodka in a blender and purée until smooth. Line a sieve with cheesecloth or paper towels, set over a bowl and pour in tomato mixture. Refrigerate overnight; clear liquid will slowly drain through. Discard solids.
2) In a glass or ceramic bowl, combine cucumbers, green peppers, tomatillos, vinegars, lemon juice, sugar and a generous sprinkling of salt and pepper. Refrigerate overnight.
3) In a large bowl, blend marinated vegetables, avocado, chives, cilantro, parsley, scallions and tomato liquid until smooth. Taste for salt, pepper and vinegar, adding more as needed. Serve very cold. Yield: 6 to 8 servings.

This recipe is being sent to Deb at Kahahai Kitchen who sponsors Souper Sunday.

32 comments :

theUngourmet said...

This looks so fresh and delicious! I love the red version but this look even better!

You are such a gourmet! I would almost be scared to attempt making this!

noble pig said...

Perfect for the weather!

Mary Bergfeld said...

ungourmet, you made me smile. Nothing could be further from the truth. I don' even think I qualify as a foodie - I'm a home cook who loves food.

Maria Berg said...

You make me hungry!!!

Perfect photos of the food, i have to look and learn. I mostly take photo of flowers but I would like to take good photos of food to.

It is love to eat, and the lemon and blueberries - I hope I can come visit you one day.
I did make a good photo of the Mothers day cake, if you want to have a look.
http://alltkangronska.blogspot.com/2009/05/morsdag-tarta.html
I put ginger in the creme.
/Maria Berg, that need to go en eat now.

Maria Berg said...

Ps. I do not usually go bak and read comments have like 50 blogs I visit, I just want you to know that.

Donna-FFW said...

That looks so fresh and refreshing. I love the pretty color. And so healthy!! Perfect choice, Mary. You always make perfect choices!

Martha said...

Looks fresh and refreshing and so perfect for summer!

NKP said...

So pretty! I have seen people make tomato water on tv but haven't tried it yet. (Although I put in some seedlings the other day, pray for good Canadian tomato weather)
I love how fresh and refreshing these look.

Hootin Anni said...

Mmmmmm. I've made it with Tobasco and Worcestershire sauce. Guess that's the 'red cousin'?

Yummy.

Selba said...

Wow! The green color looks so beautiful! I would love to try a sip although I'm allergic to alcohol in hot weather.

Cathy said...

I can imagine how delicious this soup is. And what a lovely presentation.

Netts Nook said...

Gazpacho is one of my favorites I need to give it a try you make it sound so easy. What a beautiful presentation Mary.

Heather S-G said...

I love gazpacho in the hot months...this sounds wonderful. I've never seen it with vodka before, bet it adds an extra layer of goodness. Thanks for this recipe!

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

What masterpieces your recipes are - As I've scrolled through your blog I can see that you take food prep to it's highest level! Thanks for all this eye candy!

Chef Fresco said...

We've never tried to make a Gazpacho before. I've never even had it. But it looks Faaantastic whoohooo!

Lisa said...

What a wonderful recipe. I really enjoy Gazpacho and make it often in the summer. It's fun to find new approaches to a traditional favorite!

Mary Bergfeld said...

Hi Martha, I'm so glad you decided to visit. I hope you'll become a regular.

Pam said...

What a fantastic color! It looks really refreshing, tasty and pretty.

Madam Chow said...

This looks wonderful. I grew up eating gazpacho (I'm part Spanish) that my mom made with vegetables and herbs from our garden. I've never had green gazpacho before, so I'll have to try it.

The Blonde Duck said...

That'd be great for kids around Halloween!

Jackie @PhamFatale.com said...

Perfect summery dish. I like the fact that it seems so healthy. Thanks :)

Peter M said...

The green colour here is so pure...I can taste those herbs. Cold soups are definitely refreshing (as is the vodka in here).

Maria Berg said...

Thank you for looking at my cake, see you around,
MB

gluten free pammy said...

everything looks so great

Debbie said...

It's pretty warm here right now and that would be perfect tonight!

Mariana said...

The green is so vibrant and looks 'berry' good. Oops I mean very good. Can't imagine what made me say berry. Hehehe.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Mariana, you have to stop taking life so seriously :-).

Allie said...

I love the color! Would make a perfect soup to start off any meal! Knowing me I would eat it all up as the main course.

Deb in Hawaii said...

Such a gorgeous green color! It looks and sounds amazing. Thanks for sending it to Souper Sunday. Just got the round up posted1

LK- Healthy Delicious said...

I've never had any desire to try gazpacho before (not a huge tomato fan) but this one looks awesome!! And I have to say I love the vodka in there...

giorno26 ¸¸.•*¨*•. said...

Gazpacho ?
Io lo adoro !!!!
Ciao Mary :)

Mireya @MyHealthyEatingHabits said...

Mary,
I just came across this recipe under past posts. I love it. It's a great healthy recipe!

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